James Rachels – författare

Rätt och fel är en grundläggande kursbok för studier i etik som sedan länge är väl etablerad. Boken är framför allt uppskattad för sin lättillgänglighet och för sina tankeväckande och klargörande diskussioner. Författarna kombinerar tydliga förklaringar av moralfilosofins teorier med intressanta exempel. Bland de ämnen som diskuteras finns kulturrelativism, eutanasi, homosexualitet och människors behandling av djur. Texten har ett brett användningsområde, inte bara i teoretiska etikkurser utan också i tillämpad etikutbildning.Boken vänder sig främst till studenter på universitet och högskolor i ­filosofi eller andra utbildningar med inslag av etiska frågeställningar. Denna tredje svenska upplaga är genomgående reviderad, såväl ­språkligt som genom utökade och aktualiserade resonemang.

Since the Origin of Species was first published, Darwinism has been attacked for undermining traditional morality. In particular, because it emphasizes the kinship between humans and other animals, Darwinism seems incompatible with the traditional idea of human dignity - that human life has a special value, while other animals may be sacrificed for any purpose that humans choose.This book argues that Darwinism does undermine the traditional idea of human dignity; however, this is not a reason for rejecting Darwin's outlook. Instead, it is a reason for rejecting human dignity and replacing it with a better moral view, a more enlightened ethic regarding both the value of human life and our treatment of nonhuman animals.This important book, presenting Darwin's scientific and non-scientific views as one united theory, will stimulate all those interested in evolution, morality, religion, and animal rights to re-examine their views.

The aim of this series is to bring together important recent writings in major areas of philosophical inquiry, selected from a variety of sources, mostly periodicals, which may not be conveniently available to the university student or the general reader. The editor of each volume contributes an introductory essay on the items chosen and on the questions with which they deal. A selective bibliography is appended as a guide to further reading. Ethical Theory 2: Theories about How We Should Live deals with philosophical theories about how we ought to live, including utilitarianism, social contract theory, rights theory, virtue theory, and the New Kantianism. It includes a clearly written, substantial, and critical introduction guiding the beginner through the intricacies of the subject. Ethical Theory Volumes 1 and 2 together provide an overview of contemporary moral philosophy, reprinting classic and contemporary articles, many of which are not otherwise readily available.

The aim of this series is to bring together important recent writings in major areas of philosophical inquiry, selected from a variety of sources, mostly periodicals, which may not be conveniently available to the university student or the general reader. The editor of each volume contributes an introductory essay on the items chosen and on the questions with which they deal. A selective bibliography is appended as a guide to further reading. Ethical Theory 1: The Question of Objectivity deals with the question of objectivity in ethics and the viability of moral realism, focusing on what moral judgments mean, whether morality can be objective, and whether there are any such things as moral facts. It includes a clearly written, substantial, and critical introduction guiding the beginner through the intricacies of the subject. Ethical Theory Volumes 1 and 2 together provide an overview of contemporary moral philosophy, reprinting classic and contemporary articles, many of which are not otherwise readily available.

James Rachels's philosophical writings address key questions of contemporary life and the classic dilemmas of moral philosophy. A leading figure in the development of applied ethics, James Rachels became an influential and sometimes controversial thinker on issues concerning animal rights, euthanasia, bioethics, and moral objectivity. This final collection of James Rachels's work brings together fourteen essays that best summarize Rachels's philosophical positions. The essays also shed new light on the depth and breadth of Rachels's work and its importance for contemporary philosophy. Written in Rachels's characteristically lucid, literary prose, these essays address the relationship between morality and reason, the duty to relieve both human and animal suffering, the independence of morality from religion, the rejection of relativism and egoism, and the role of ethics in a democratic society. Rachels offers an argument for vegetarianism, examines a controversial case involving a surrogate mother, and speculates on the ethics of political killing. Other essays range from Rachels's interpretation of Nietzsche's philosophy to his appreciation of movies.Rachels was a strong believer in the ability of moral philosophy to improve our lives. This collection, which brings these important works together for the first time, is a testament to both the value of moral philosophy in understanding our world and the richness of Rachels's contributions to this understanding.

Esteemed moral philosopher James Rachels here collects fifteen essays, some classic and others extensively revised, on the nature and limits of moral reasoning. Rachels argues that, rather than simply expressing societal conventions, moral philosophy can subvert received opinion and replace it with something better. Combining a concern for ethical theory with a discussion of practical moral issues such as euthanasia, the rights of animals, privacy, and affirmative action. Can Ethics Provide Answers is an excellent collection for students, scholars, and anyone concerned with the degree to which our principles can guide our policies.

Esteemed moral philosopher James Rachels here collects fifteen essays, some classic and others extensively revised, on the nature and limits of moral reasoning. Rachels argues that, rather than simply expressing societal conventions, moral philosophy can subvert received opinion and replace it with something better. Combining a concern for ethical theory with a discussion of practical moral issues such as euthanasia, the rights of animals, privacy, and affirmative action. Can Ethics Provide Answers is an excellent collection for students, scholars, and anyone concerned with the degree to which our principles can guide our policies.

Now in its eighth edition, James Rachels’ and Stuart Rachels’ The Right Thing to Do: Readings in Moral Philosophy continues its legacy of providing students a diverse collection of thought-provoking essays from historical and contemporary perspectives. Introductory essays by James Rachels and foundational readings in moral theory provide a base from which students can engage with the updated selection of essays on pressing issues.New to the Eighth Edition:From gun rights to the opioid crisis to racial equality, these new essays bring questions of moral philosophy into the daily lives of today’s students.1. A Death at Penn State, by Caitlin Flanagan2. The Opioid Crisis, As Lived in West Virginia, by Margaret Talbot3. Is Doping Wrong?, by Peter Singer4. The Case for Reparations, by Ta-Nehisi Coates5. Why Guns Shouldn’t Be Outlawed, by Michael Huemer6. Is Taxation Theft?, by Michael Huemer7. Letting Go: What Should Medicine Do When It Can’t Save Your Life?, by Atul Gawande8. The Meaning of Life, by Richard Taylor

This introduction to philosophy guides students through great philosophical problems, such as the existence of God, the nature of the mind, human freedom, the limits of knowledge, and the truth about ethics.The book begins by reflecting on the life of the first great philosopher, Socrates. Then it takes up the fundamental question of whether God exists. Next comes a discussion of death and the soul, which leads to a chapter about persons. The later chapters consider whether objective knowledge is possible in science and ethics.Problems from Philosophy represents the final work of philosopher James Rachels. In it, he brings the same liveliness and clarity to the introduction of philosophy present in his other best-selling books. Problems from Philosophy has been revised by James Rachels’ son Stuart, who has carefully refined his father’s work to further strengthen its clarity and accessibility.The fifth edition features a new chapter on government and new content on AI and large language models in the chapter "Can a Machine Think?"

This introduction to philosophy guides students through great philosophical problems, such as the existence of God, the nature of the mind, human freedom, the limits of knowledge, and the truth about ethics.The book begins by reflecting on the life of the first great philosopher, Socrates. Then it takes up the fundamental question of whether God exists. Next comes a discussion of death and the soul, which leads to a chapter about persons. The later chapters consider whether objective knowledge is possible in science and ethics.Problems from Philosophy represents the final work of philosopher James Rachels. In it, he brings the same liveliness and clarity to the introduction of philosophy present in his other best-selling books. Problems from Philosophy has been revised by James Rachels’ son Stuart, who has carefully refined his father’s work to further strengthen its clarity and accessibility.The fifth edition features a new chapter on government and new content on AI and large language models in the chapter "Can a Machine Think?"

The ninth edition of James Rachels' and Stuart Rachels' moral philosophy reader continues its legacy of providing students with foundational moral philosophy texts and a diverse collection of contemporary, thought-provoking essays. Introductory essays by James Rachels supplement foundational readings in moral theory to provide students with a framework to engage with ethical issues. From discussions of right and wrong and duty and virtue, the book proceeds to contemporary themes so students may apply foundational concepts to current events and controversies.Eight new readings from Elizabeth Kolbert, Nicholas Kristof, David Frum, and Stuart Rachels engage students on topics of climate change, immigration, childcare and education, gun violence, and government authority.